Business torts

Tortious Interference with Business Relationships in Florida

When someone intentionally interferes with your contract or business relationship to take the deal for themselves, Florida law may allow you to recover the losses that interference caused.

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Where interference often happens

Real estate deals

A third party steers a buyer or seller away from the broker who brought them together.

Customer poaching

A competitor or former partner uses misleading statements to take your clients.

Vendor and supplier contracts

Someone induces a vendor to breach or end an agreement with you.

Employment and commissions

Earned commissions or referral fees are diverted through a third party.

Representative result

In May 2026, a Miami-Dade jury returned a $47.83 million verdict ($19.83M compensatory, $28M punitive) in Miles Goldstein Real Estate, LLC v. Reuben Ezekiel, et al., a case handled by Josef Timlichman involving an $84,000 commission. Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict a similar outcome in any future case.

Read about the verdict

Frequently asked questions

What must be proven for tortious interference in Florida?

Generally: a business relationship or contract, the defendant's knowledge of it, intentional and unjustified interference, and damages caused by that interference.

Do I need a written contract?

No. Florida recognizes interference with business relationships even without an enforceable contract, as long as there is an identifiable relationship with an understanding that would likely have been completed.

Can punitive damages be available?

Tortious interference is an intentional tort, so punitive damages may be pursued if the court allows it under Florida's procedures. Not every case qualifies.

Call (305) 748-3789

Press coverage

Coverage of the $47.83M commission verdict

Cases handled by Josef Timlichman Law have received coverage from the following publications.